Change in Depth Should Promote Offense for Penguins
Vinnie Hinostroza should provide the Pittsburgh Penguins with some of the offense they have been missing.
After what feels like far too long for many, the Pittsburgh Penguins may have finally decided to pull Jeff Carter from the lineup in favor of other talents.
It likely won’t be a long-term fix, but the Penguins experimented with Vinnir Hinostroza in Carter’s spot in practice before heading out west.
Entering camp, Hinostroza was skating alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust on the first forward line thinking that could be a viable option to fill in for Jake Guentzel.
While Guentzel eventually returned in time for the season, Hinostroza slipped down the lineup and eventually all the way to the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Hinostroza hasn’t had a bad start with WBS either, posting four points in five games.
Head coach Mike Sullivan didn’t necessarily confirm or deny if Carter was being healthy scratched, but his placement in practice spoke pretty loudly.
Carter skated on the extra defensive pair with P.O. Joseph who has been benched for five straight games.
Following the practice, Sullivan also spoke highly of Hinostroza and what he may be able to add to the lineup.
“He brings a lot of speed,” Sullivan said. “He has good offensive instincts; he’s got some scoring touch.”
One of the key elements missing from the Penguins fourth line so far has been that jolt of offense; they aren’t expected to bring much, but the current formation is yet to record a point all season.
Sullivan believes Hinostroza can bring momentum to both sides of the ice.
“He’s a guy that I think checks hard,” Sullivan said. “He utilizes his speed on both sides of the puck.”
Hinostroza said that at this point of his career nothing really surprises him so starting the year at the AHL level wasn’t a shock.
With a new opportunity at the NHL, however, Hinostroza is hoping to stick this time around.
“It’s my goal to help this team win and play as many games as I can,” Hinostroza said. “If I’m able to step in there I’ll be prepared.”
The Penguins have three games coming up against the three California teams and it seems more than likely that Hinostroza will make his season debut on the road trip.
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